* [[Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve]] - a protected forested habitat in the south of [[Moscow Oblast]] with the unique bison farm.

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* [[Yasnaya Polyana]] - the beautiful estate and museum of a famous Russian writer, '''Lev Tolstoy''', located to the south from [[Tula]].

==Understand==

==Understand==

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Central Russia is within easy striking distance of [[Belarus]] and [[Ukraine]], both centers of ancient Kievan Rus. One of the world's most fabulous tourist destinations, [[Saint Petersburg]], is just an overnight train ride from [[Moscow]]. Moscow is also the starting point for most journeys on the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]], which takes travelers to destinations in the [[Volga Region]], [[Urals]], [[Siberia]], and the [[Russian Far East]], as well as non-Russian destinations such as [[Mongolia]], [[Pyongyang]], and [[Beijing]].

Central Russia is within easy striking distance of [[Belarus]] and [[Ukraine]], both centers of ancient Kievan Rus. One of the world's most fabulous tourist destinations, [[Saint Petersburg]], is just an overnight train ride from [[Moscow]]. Moscow is also the starting point for most journeys on the [[Trans-Siberian Railway]], which takes travelers to destinations in the [[Volga Region]], [[Urals]], [[Siberia]], and the [[Russian Far East]], as well as non-Russian destinations such as [[Mongolia]], [[Pyongyang]], and [[Beijing]].

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Revision as of 20:01, 20 October 2011

Classical Central Russia historical town: Rostov Veliky

Central Russia is located in the country's extreme west, but it casts the main role in Russian history and economics. Pioneer cities were established here 1000+ years ago. During its feudal disunity this territory took the main impact of the Tartar Yoke, started in 13th century and lasted for two hundred years. Central Russia is that core area, which formed around Moscow Princedom when in 15th century it started to collect Russian feudal lands into a back single state to throw down the Tartars. That was the only period, when this region was the geographical center of Russia.

Later on, Central Russia continued to be the core of the country, proving its name for at least 700 years. 3 major battles in Russian history hit this region in 1380, 1812 and 1941. Many of famous Russians were born and lived there, including Lev Tolstoy, Anton Chekhov, Sergey Yesenin, Yuri Gagarin and others.

Nowadays, this tiny part of Russian territory (2.5%) concentrates about 20% of the population and plays the lead role in the country's economy and politics. The region feels the tremendous influence of Moscow metropolitan area, which pumps out human and financial resources from neighboring regions. This leads to significant dispatities between the capital and and other cities, those are often looking depressive.

Huge tourist potential of Central Russia is only going to be discovered. International tourists usually visit the metropolice of Moscow, less frequently see the historic legacy of the Golden Ring, and often undeservedly skip hidden, but awesome corners of this region.

Moscow OblastThe densely populated region surrounding Moscow and containing all its satellite suburbs. Nevertheless, Moscow Oblast has many historical cities and natural sights, those are available for a daily trip from the capital.

Yasnaya Polyana - the beautiful estate and museum of a famous Russian writer, Lev Tolstoy, located to the south from Tula.

Understand

Talk

Within Moscow and at most large tourist sites, it is possible to find English speakers. At major tourist destinations, guides are available in most major world languages. The only language you are likely to hear on a daily basis, however, is Russian, and knowledge of the Cyrillic alphabet plus a few key phrases will certainly make independent travel a lot easier.

Get in

See Moscow, the point of arrival for the vast majority of the region's visitors.

Get around

Rail is the most convenient method of public transportation between cities. From Moscow rail stations, there are suburban trains called электрички (eh-lehk-TREECH-kee), which will take you to smaller cities within the region.

See

The regions most popular sights by far are located within and around Red Square and the historic loop of cities comprising the Golden Ring.